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Mostly I was behind the table in Artist Alley for the whole event, so my experience of the con was limited. But I have a couple of small things. The biggest one was the the Artist Alley tables needed more space between them so that we could move out from the tables without having to run to the end of the line. There is plenty of space in the convention center to allow for a small space between tables. It really negatively impacts the ability to set up and take down the tables and also to assist customers.

Second, when I was presenting my panel, the staff at the door kept coming in and making the attendees change seats to fill each and every seat in a certain order from back to front. When attendees and finally I told him to leave us alone, he just kept repeating it was policy in case the room filled up. We are mostly adults...we know how to sit in chairs. The room had several empty rows of seats and making people get up and move and sit in places they didn't want to sit is just silly. People have lots of reasons to choose chairs in certain places, and shouldn't be told to move. It's not the cosplay show, it's a panel. Leave it alone. As a panelist, I don't appreciate someone pissing off my audience right before I have to present, especially when it's for no good reason.

ETA: Also he wouldn't let people enter the panel room early and sit down, even though I was fine with it. People are tired and want to sit, not stand in line.

More water stations please. I loved that last year's place had water coolers everywhere, and it was nice cool Ozarka. The pitchers in the rooms this year were blecky tap water and there was only one water station for the whole convention.

When I went to my panel room the pitchers and the counters were a mess. I asked twice for fresh wter but it never came.

1. Having to travel between two buildings was a hassle, and I can’t even imagine what people had to go through if they were either alone or from out of town. Granted, you figure it out eventually, but I know that it pretty much took until Saturday to know the routes between the Hyatt and the convention center. While I realize you picked the location for its size over the Marriot, you’re really going to need signs that say, “Con center this way”, “Hyatt this way” and so on.

2. Panels started way too late. All 3 days I was going from panel to panel to panel, and the only panels to start on time were the very small, less-populated ones. This, of course, is likely because the panel before ended too late/the people took too long to set-up. Both issues need looking into; you know something is wrong when a panel is supposed to start at 3 and starts at 3:25.

3. You ought to implement a Six Flags system where you basically put up signs on the walls that say “If you are standing at this point, don’t expect to get in the panel.” All panels have a maximum occupancy sign that you can use to gauge how many bodies until you likely can’t get in. Furthermore, that maximum occupancy is challenged by the fact that you are filling the room with chairs and not standing individuals. Either way, if you can physically count the number of seats in a room, you can physically count how many people can get into the room before cut-off, and thereby place signs saying, “If you stand at this point in the line, it isn’t guaranteed you’ll get in.” Obviously you’d have to make the wording a bit more ginger, but you get the point.

4. More of a nitpick, but the gaming room just felt too huge for what it was. There was a ridiculous amount of space in there that wasn’t being filled, and it almost felt like walking through the dealer’s room just to see what was on the next TV. Also, there wasn’t a guy selling Japanese candy there *super sad face*

5. –Certain- staff members were just far too rude, bossy, and mean. I understand that when you’re in charge of 200+ people you don’t have time to account for everybody’s feelings, but as a person who has worked in customer service, dealing with gigantic, long lines of unruly, impatient customers, I can tell you this much; if you’re in charge of somebody else, you do NOT want to be that person with the mentality of “because I reserve the right to kick you out, I’m in charge, and you will do as I say.”

I won’t mention any names or describe any, but one staff member got so upset that I was slightly out of line (it was a cramped line) that they literally made the entire line move down just so that I had room. Then, when asked why we were moving, this person said, and I quote, “Well, because soooooomebody didn’t want to follow the rules!” he says as he gives me this condescending eye roll.

Also, on the note of staff, you need to give them a clear memo on what to tell us. Some of them let us sit, some did not. Some of them let us not be up against the wall, some forced us. Some demanded single file, others did not.

I realize you have tons of staff all over the place, but it’s pretty simple: make them all abide by a single set of rules. If you already do that, and chances are you do, then…perhaps have like, a staff manager who oversees the staff.

Oh, and one last thing: make sure the staff actually know what the panel is -_-.

6. I know panels are generally left up to the people in charge of the panel itself, but almost every panel I went to was…really rather boring. When I say boring, what I mean is, most every panel was like listening to a bad teacher’s lecture: “Okay, here is a power point
presentation, and we are going to read this power point to you even though you can clearly read for yourselves.” Panels should try to encourage either activities (which can be done using tables and assigning groups) or discussion. I realize a lot of panels are just kind of, “I’m super intelligent in ____________, so listen to me talk about it”, but, again, I can’t tell you how many people would ditch panels the moment it got too “I, the person in charge of the panel, am the only one who talks, and you just have to watch and be entertained.”

7. I realize we’ve already discussed this, and I’d love to discuss it more in-depth since I’m sure we could gain a lot from a discussion, but I’m really hoping to see less “this is nerdy so let’s include it” things. I saw more gray-faced horned people (I don’t know their names) from Homestuck than any other costume. Like, I think I saw 6 Ash Ketchums, maybe 8 Sailor scouts, and then at least 60+ gray demon things. I realize you can’t dictate which costumes you allow and don’t, and that’s fine, but, again, I just don’t want to think that whenever the next nerd craze comes out, they’re going to overwhelm you with requests for panels, and then we’re going to get an overload of their cosplayers. Usually intermixing is a totally great thing that I am fully supportive of, but if I walk into a room and see one from anime, one from video games, one from an internet meme, one steampunk, one brony, one from Homestuck, and one from *insert new nerd thing*, I’m just going to look and say, “Anime con?”

Panel-specific complaints:

Mask Making Craft Area for the Masquerade Ball: Needs more glue. It was a super handy panel for poor people like me, but amongst all the paints, gems, feathers, and masks, there was only one glue gun. Needs more.

How To Make Friends at Cons: Needs to be much longer. This type of event is just begging to have some really great activities that spur-on conversation, teach social skills, how to overcome fear, etc. Instead, it wound up just being a “tell me about your problem, and I will go on and on and on about what I feel is good advice.” The reason why it needs to be longer is because you’re going to need time for both presentation, activities, AND Q & A/discussion. This is definitely one of the more important panels given the nature of anime cons and con-goers.

Formal Masquerade Dance: Felt like prom…in a tiny, tiny city (like Uvalde or something). I was expecting A. it to be in a room perhaps the size of the Main Events Texas Ballroom, and/or B. To be nice and brightly-lit like in Beauty and the Beast or Anastasia or something. Instead, it was in a rather small room with dim lighting, and it didn’t even have free cheese, fruit, or Kool-Aid! >:| Also, the music was just inaudibly low. If you’re on the dance floor, maybe, but as soon as you move off the dance floor, it becomes a dull roar.

YaoiFest: Oh boy…where do I begin? So, the first and most obvious problem with this panel was Teahouse. They took up almost AN HOUR AND A HALF talking about their comic. I realize giving them their own panel might be A. redundant and B. not particularly populated, but I mean, the description in the pamphlet says “hours of yaoi to be shown”, and does not include the caveat of “…after an hour and a half of comic talk.” The line was huge and the room was packed, but as soon as we were made unaware of when we’d watch videos, people started to leave in droves, and a lot of the people who excitedly came in left not long after finally getting in. So, yeah, give them their own panel.

Now, onto the yaoi videos. Every year I partake in vocal participation and commentary. However, this year I wasn’t alone. There was a group of funny people both by the door and in the audience. They understood that yaoi is the sort of thing ripe for comedy (a la Rocky Horror and what have you). This has been a widely-accepted inevitability, and is something openly embraced at Hentai Fest (albeit, I didn’t go this year, so somebody correct me if I’m wrong). However, the DVD got stopped 3 times and caused yet another drop in attendance when the people in charge chimed in with, “No loud talking, people are trying to watch.” Really? People are trying to watch gay porn that seriously? Besides, it has subtitles. And we didn’t just talk over the entire thing, we just inserted jokes when necessary, then went quiet.

YaoiFest is one of the biggest highlights of my SJ experience. It has been ever since 2008, and it hasn’t stopped. This year, I was not only the only guy in the room, I wasn’t the only comedian. It’s one thing to say, “Hey, a little less commentary would be nice” instead of just “No loud talking. We’re trying to watch.” There’s a whole ‘nother dynamic that goes into 18+ showings, and to just say, “Come, sit down, and just silently watch really cheesy yaoi” isn’t that inviting.

Geek Link Nerd Dating Advice: Got cancelled! Really?! That could’ve been such a fun panel. And how come it got canceled after the room got full? Isn’t that the sort of thing you’d know beforehand?

I'm an advice-giver, listener, and psychiatrist by day
and a wild, party-starting, life-of-the-party male entertainer by night
I exist to explain dreams
And then I aim to fulfill them
I am here to keep it classy
And then I am here to party

I was not too happy with the 100 people rule. I volunteered and as I finished my bit I got in line to get pictures with Ellen and John only to be told that if I didn't have a ticket, no pictures and no signing. I wasn't gonna try sunday because of this system as I didn't finish my shift early and saw a huge line...I will have to agree with the thing about no ramune, or the traditional things (melon bread and other items) Maybe have them set up in the hotel to sell it or would that violate the contract you sign with the city for the HBG center?

Also, the Final Fantasy Fan Panel had no structure. It started out great with the trivia contest and what got you into the series, but after that it became a cluster of rants that you could have found anywhere on any given forum. I didn't catch who ran the panel (she was cosplaying Lulu), but if you read this please keep in mind that this was not your platform for going on about your otp or how much you can't stand character X. This was a gathering of fans to talk about the series and you could have done so much with this! A discussion of the philosophy behind the games or the evolution of technology and gameplay. Perhaps next time you run a fan panel like this you can have a proper outline with content and can keep it from turning into a "what person/plot point/gameplay drives us absolutely insane about this series?" argument.

Thank you for your feedback, it's very much appreciated. I was trying out something new with this panel based on other feedback for other fan panels I had gotten in the past. I was hoping for it to be a more open mic type of panel since that's the most requested I get for panels and since the Final Fantasy Fans was more of a fan gathering panel. It was something new I was trying for this one, so perhaps for this I'll go back to the more structured type of fan panel I have done in the past.

Although, I am slightly perplexed. I don't believe I talked too much about "OTPs" I think the only stated that I had preferred two certain character's relationship only twice during the panel, but didn't try to dwell too long on it. I don't think I was trying to use it as a platform to be, "OMG OTP" for most of the panel, but that is my feeling about it.

Feel free to PM me any other concerned you had about the panel and if you're interested in possibly assisting with it for next year as well.

Added Note: I did use to have templates and deep topic discussions for past panels, but as I stated I was trying out something new that had been suggested multiple times.

I want to start off by saying I had a good time at San Japan overall. Enough of one that I already bought gold passes for next year. That being said, the problems I noticed were:

Standing in line... Most of the panels I went to started late, the dealer room opening late Friday and Saturday, and the Artist Alley starting late Saturday. Not the con staff's fault... dealers weren't fully set up, artists not set up, panel hosts running late. Not the convention staff's fault. Hopefully something can be done about that, or at least when it comes to the panels maybe let the attendees in to sit down and wait, rather than standing in a line.
Misinformation... I had lost something Friday night, and was bounced back and forth between the convention center and hotel... told there were four different lost and found locations when there were actually two. I was told this by staff and volunteers both. Thankfully I was able to get my item back Sunday after the convention was done, when the lost and found was combined with the Hyatt's, but it was not comforting to be unable to find it until then. Other people who lost items also said they had the same issues.
As was mentioned before, maybe a better enforcement of the rules. There were a couple times I was almost run over by kids. Kids run, it happens, but there were volunteers wandering around those times, and only once did I hear anyone tell the kids no running. Doors marked "Exit Only" didn't always have people at them enforcing it, so I'd be trying to exit and people who obviously can't read two words would almost bowl me over coming in the door.

All that being said, every complaint I have is minor in the end. I understand how hard it is to get everything done perfectly, and you all can't control everything to make it all run without any hiccups. Looking forward to Sinister 6.

Just to address one of the things that has already come up, Dealers are not allowed to sell food or drinks anymore:

"Potential Food Vendors: In 2012 & beyond when we move to the HBG Convention Center, which will be our permanent location, we will not be allowed to have any outside food vendors due to our contract with the city of San Antonio. We can not make any exceptions."

Volunteers need to be watching for badges more. I played the "how long can I go without getting asked to show my badge" game while in costume and not. I was able to make it everywhere except the dealer's room. That is really problematic in terms of revenue for the con in the future.

<3 amara, who was once mamaesme but decided that she didn't like being associated with Twilight anymore.

I noticed that on Sunday there was NO ONE stationed at the entrance to the artists alley asking for badges.

Was this later in the day or earlier? Because I know earlier on there was a guy there, because I tie my badge to my belt loops in order for it to not be visible when I'm asked for a picture, and I kept pulling back my coat and showing him the badge in a sassy way each time I went back into the artist's alley, and he kept laughing.

To all those asking about WHY there was no melon bread, ramune, etc etc
This goes for both the hotel and the convention center. So, it's gone guys. Gone.

That's a bummer.
Also does anyone know why next years con was moved forward a week. That's starting to bump up against a-fest on labor day and I probably won't be able to get both weekends off. Another bummer.

Well this year I had an okay time but it was waaay to overwhelming for me this year with the way it was set up and as the saying goes: bigger isn't always better. Especially with those death trap elevators that took milleniums to go to a certain floor. Sadly so many panels that I wanted to see were missed this year due to the spread out layout of particular panels and the fact that while in line I'd get cut off for maximum seating. It was like everyone was in a hurry this year and it doesn't help with how claustrophobic it would get in certain places with lack conditioning and proper water. Speaking of that I was so expecting more water stands and you do not know how much I had to do just to get some water, I felt like I was going to pass out but at least there were some water fountains... eehh it's just like high school :/ I say those are some minor things any con can improve on but what made my time so-so was that this year for some reason everyone was so rude and even my friends and family (including myself) had to refrain from giving them the beat down. It was just the general overall atmosphere that I didn't like cause you can always improve the con but if they are going to be as rude to me as they were to the people I care for next year... No San Japan for me like some people thought they owned the place and wouldn't move when one needed to go around them and why did someone at the con flick my friend off when she said hi?? Even if that was supposed to be a part of a certain character there is such a thing as being a complete prick instead -.- Honestly I had the most fun just sitting at an abandoned area and conversing with my friends and it just sucks that for some of my friends it was their frist con and they had to experience crap that normally doesn't happen but at least we had fun by ourselves and my mom made me laugh with her complaints of the hotel cause in all honesty... last year's was better and we got over taxed for bs things but I think that's just because San Antonio just loves to over charge period. Another thing that occured at the con was all the cutting in lines for the panels and staff confusing people on rules or some just being rude while saying things... That is all and I know San Japan is a great convention so yeah my time this year may not have been the best but yeah it's not San Japan's fault, it was the bastards we encountered instead (not saying that everyone was one but there was quite a number for myself personally be it of the con or random pedestrians) :3

okay so the only thing I had an issue with was the panel before my dance lesson ran into our time causing us not to get to all our dances, and we ran into the setup time for the masquerade, which I am very greatful they let us stay a little longer... All my other panels ran smoothly

*The "Late Night Artist Alley" was in a VERY awkward spot. We didn't get much traffic even when the Convention Center was closed. A bunch of the artists complained and got to move or didn't even show up. >>

*MORE TRASHCANS. While I'm all for recycling, it's a pain to have to walk to the other side of the building just to chuck some food wrappers. I try to separate stuff if I can and I HATE having to throw styrofoam in a bottles and cans bin.

*While I was pretty close to a water fountain, more of them would be a plus.

*Oh, and I noticed that the Battle of the Bands seemed a bit unorganized and started late. Might wanna work on that.

I don't have much bad feedback at all. My biggest complaint would be about how the tables were set up for the Artist Alley. We were pretty much all boxed in together and we had to make a little opening to squeeze through. It could be a fire hazard in a way so if next time they could just be separated a bit that would fix that problem The other thing was the distance to get from the hotel back to the convention center. Now that well I really did like how open the whole event was but it could get tiring at times D: That's all I have to say for this thread ^^

The only thing I would suggest on improving, given my vantage, is making the printed scheduled more easier to read.

Even though I wasn't officially part of the organization, my position made me a perfect target for questions about "where is X?" which, as I have commented to people who were hanging about nearby, could be solved if those attendees could read more carefully and utilized both the schedules and the maps provided to get to their destination. Granted I was more than happy to help if I knew what they were looking for, but it was kinda repetitive to have to point to the ceiling to let people know that "the rave is upstairs".

But unfortunately, it appears some people don't have that much perception, so one possible improvement to the schedule would be to add a column that groups which rows are at the convention center and which rows are at the third or fourth floor of the hotel. The schedule itself is already arranged such that one can infer this from careful reading, but most likely, having some words to the left side saying which group of rooms belong where would likely help with simple navigation tremendously.

Signage about where people are could also be increased, primarily being more specific about where certain sections are, like "THIS IS FLOOR 3" or "VIDEO ROOMS THIS WAY".

That's a bummer.
Also does anyone know why next years con was moved forward a week. That's starting to bump up against a-fest on labor day and I probably won't be able to get both weekends off. Another bummer.

This is not on purpose. This was the only weekend available from both the Convention Center and Grand Hyatt to match our needs if we wanted to keep it at a summer con date. It fell under "Not Much Can Be Done."

Let's see if I can remember the few bad things that lie among the many amazing memories of San Japan:

1. Cosplay on a Budget. No one showed up to the panel at all. There really should be a system that encourages panelists to arrive. However, I did end up sorta "running" that panel by sitting up front with my friends and talking to everyone XD

2. Autographs were a problem. Well, my friend got up there and had a blast, but she didn't take an entire day. I do believe vaguely seeing "don't ask them to come around the table for a picture" somewhere, and yet they did that. Please enforce and let people know about the rules

3. More seating. Apparently you can't sit down ANYWHERE in the 3rd floor Hyatt due to fire hazards (which I TOTALLY get), but on the 4th floor you can? 4. Please make sure the staff are taught the same rules!